For the past four years, this week has drawn the ire of many Mountaineer fans.
It's Marshall Week.
Many feel this battle for state bragging rights is a waste of time as it should be a cakewalk for the Mountaineers year-in and year-out. Although in the past, we've seen that the game could be competitive with Marshall taking leads into the locker room at halftime on two separate occasions.
Still, WVU supporters want to nix this game as soon as the contract expires in 2012.
That would be a shame.
As the only two Division I football teams in the state of West Virginia, the Thundering Herd and Mountaineers should continue to duke it out beyond the series expiration date.
The game brings the state together and allows fans from opposing sides to engage in a showdown for Mountain State pride.
Yet, still a vast majority of people look down upon this game. The Mountaineer fan website, hailwv.com, went as far as giving 10 reasons why the Friends of Coal Bowl should not be played. In a not-so creative manner, the site listed the final scores of the past nine Coal Bowl contests, all won by the Mountaineers.
For the 10th reason, the site downgraded Governor Joe Manchin, saying this game was only established so he could "win the Huntington-area vote."
This is a sports column, not a political forum, so I have no comment on that aspect. I just know I enjoy seeing these two teams play. It gives WVU a tune-up for the rest of its grueling season and allows Marshall to have the opportunity to knock off the flagship program of the state.
But we all know this state belongs to the Old Gold and Blue.
If I haven't sold you enough, I'm going to go all David Letterman and announce the top 10 reasons WVU and Marshall should play each other each year:
1. State pride. There are two teams gunning for the hearts of West Virginia football fans – let it be decided on the field.
2. It happens everywhere else. Every year Ohio State plays at least one smaller D-1A program from Ohio every year. Akron, Ohio and Miami (Ohio) have all gotten the chance to knock off the state's powerhouse in past years.
3. The ‘Coal Bowl' is a cool name. Hey, it rhymes. I like the theme and the support and attention the game brings to the backbone industry of the state.
4. Chance of an upset. I've been a lifelong Mountaineer fan and would probably cry if the Herd upset WVU.
But it could happen.
In the annual Rocky Mountain Showdown (Colorado-Colorado State), CSU pulled off the upset in 2006 and 2009. CSU is in the Mountain West, the western version of Conference USA.
5. "We are…Marshall" is a great movie. It really has made me a closet supporter of the Herd. If you've never seen it, watch it before the game tonight. WVU is presented in a great light.
6. The tragedy. To "rise from the ashes" like the Marshall program did after the plane crash in 1970 is nothing short of remarkable. Imagine having to wait a year and scrape a team together. It wouldn't be easy, and certainly wasn't.
7. Doc Holliday. The man has had Gold and Blue running through his veins since the 70s. Now as Marshall head coach, he adorned the green and white. It'll be an interesting storyline for years to come.
8. The game doesn't hurt WVU's BCS standings. Many people are calling for the series to end because the polls look down on the schedule. Believe me, if Marshall was not there another lower level team would be in.
The Alabama's and Michigan's of college football are not going to just appear in its place to beef up WVU's schedule.
9. Money. Manchin said this game "has been an economic boost to the state." If it brings in money, how can anyone argue that it's a bad thing?
10. It's a Mountaineer vs. a Buffalo. Come on, this is a classic battle of Man vs. Wild. Bear Grylls has longed for an opportunity like this.
Whether or not those 10 reasons swayed your opinion or not, just accept the fact that this game will be played for at least another two years.
If we're lucky, it will extend for more.